Pre-reading Task
If you want to make this world a better place to live in, what would you like to add to it? What would you like to be eliminated? Make two separate lists of additions and deletions (with reference to political, economic and social conditions) that you and your friends want.
Answer – Discuss with your classmates or reflect personally. Then, list down the changes you would like to see in the world in two separate categories—Additions and Deletions—based on political, economic, and social aspects.
Additions (What we want more of)
Aspect | Additions We Want |
Political | – Honest and transparent leaders. |
– Equal representation for women and marginalized communities
Economic – Equal job opportunities for all
– Financial aid for the physically challenged
Social – Better education for all
– Inclusive spaces for differently-abled individuals
– More kindness and empathy in society |
Deletions (What we want to eliminate)
Aspect | Deletions We Want |
Political | – Corruption |
– Discrimination based on caste, religion, or gender
Economic – Unemployment
– Extreme poverty and income inequality
Social – Bullying and social exclusion
– Stereotyping and negative attitudes towards physically challenged individuals
Word Meaning
Word | English Meaning | Hindi Meaning (हिन्दी अर्थ) |
Dream | A vision or hope for the future | सपना / भविष्य की कल्पना |
Scorn | To show contempt or disdain; to mock or reject | तिरस्कार करना / उपेक्षा करना |
Bless | To bring good or positive feelings; to make holy | आशीर्वाद देना / पवित्र बनाना |
Adorn | To decorate or beautify | सजाना / अलंकृत करना |
Freedom | The state of being free, not under control or oppression | स्वतंत्रता / आज़ादी |
Greed | An excessive desire for more (especially wealth or food) | लालच |
Saps | Weakens or destroys gradually | चूस लेना / शक्ति कम करना |
Soul | The spiritual or emotional part of a person | आत्मा |
Avarice | Extreme greed for wealth or material gain | लोभ / अत्यधिक लालच |
Blights | Spoils, harms, or destroys | नष्ट करना / बर्बाद करना |
Race | A group of people distinguished by physical or genetic traits | जाति / नस्ल |
Bounties | Rich gifts or blessings; abundance | उपहार / भरपूर मात्रा |
Wretchedness | State of being very bad, miserable or full of suffering | दयनीयता / दुःखपूर्ण स्थिति |
Hang its head | To feel ashamed or defeated | शर्म से सिर झुकाना |
Joy | A feeling of great happiness | आनंद / खुशी |
Attend | To be present with or provide help to | सेवा करना / उपस्थित होना |
Mankind | The human race; all people | मानवता / मानव जाति |
Of such I dream | This is the kind of world I hope for | ऐसा सपना मैं देखता हूँ |
Summary in English:
The poem “I Dream a World” by Langston Hughes expresses the poet’s vision of a perfect and just world. He dreams of a world where no person is scorned or discriminated against, where love, peace, and freedom are experienced by all. In this dream world, greed and selfishness no longer exist, and everyone lives in equality regardless of their race or background. The poet hopes for an end to suffering and for joy to be shared by all humanity. It is a powerful message of hope, equality, and universal brotherhood.
Summary in Hindi (हिन्दी में सारांश):
लैंग्स्टन ह्यूजेस की कविता “I Dream a World” एक आदर्श और न्यायपूर्ण दुनिया का सपना दर्शाती है। कवि ऐसी दुनिया की कल्पना करता है जहाँ किसी से घृणा न की जाए, सभी को प्रेम और शांति का अनुभव हो, और सबको आज़ादी प्राप्त हो। वह ऐसी दुनिया का सपना देखता है जहाँ लालच और स्वार्थ की भावना समाप्त हो जाए, और सभी जातियों और रंगों के लोग समान रूप से धरती की सम्पत्तियों को बाँटें। कवि चाहता है कि दुख और दरिद्रता समाप्त हो जाए और हर मनुष्य को सच्चा आनंद मिले। यह कविता आशा, समानता और मानवता की एक प्रेरणादायक अभिव्यक्ति है।
Understanding the Story
A. On the basis of your understanding of the poem, complete the following summary.
In the poet’s dream world, no man will _________ . The earth _________ by love and _________ will prevail everywhere. There will be no difference between _________ . Everybody will be able to experience joy and happiness. Man will not be spiritually weakened by _________. _________ will not make human life miserable. People will share the _________ equally. Misery will be banished.
Answer –
In the poet’s dream world, no man will scorn another. The earth will be blessed by love and peace will prevail everywhere. There will be no difference between black or white people. Everybody will be able to experience joy and happiness. Man will not be spiritually weakened by greed. Avarice will not make human life miserable. People will share the bounties of the earth equally. Misery will be banished.
B. Read the following extract from the poem and answer the questions that follow.
And joy, like a pearl,
Attend the needs of all mankind.
(a) What has joy been compared to?
Answer – Joy has been compared to a pearl.
(b) What is the significance of this comparison?
Answer – A pearl is rare, beautiful, and precious. The comparison suggests that joy is valuable and should be accessible to all people, enriching their lives just like a pearl adds beauty and value.
C. Personification is a literary device in which objects or qualities are represented as human beings. What qualities have been personified in the following expressions?
(a) love will bless the earth
Answer – The quality personified is love.
Word suggesting personification: bless – typically an action done by a human or deity.
(b) wretchedness will hang its head
Answer – The quality personified is wretchedness.
Word suggesting personification: hang its head – an expression of shame or guilt usually shown by humans.
Which word/words in each expression suggests/suggest that the quality has been personified?
Answer – (a) Expression: “love will bless the earth”
Personified Quality: Love
Word that suggests personification: bless
“Bless” is an action typically done by a person, suggesting that love is acting like a person.
(b) Expression: “wretchedness will hang its head”
Personified Quality: Wretchedness
Words that suggest personification: hang its head
“Hang its head” is a human gesture of shame or defeat, showing wretchedness behaving like a human.
D. Word Power
A few phrases from the text have been placed in Column A with their meanings in Column B in a jumbled form. Match the phrases in Column A with their appropriate meanings in Column B.
Answer –
Column A | Column B |
(a) saps the soul | 2. weakens or destroys our spiritual power |
(b) avarice blights our day | 4. an extreme desire for wealth makes our daily life tense and miserable |
(c) bounties of earth | 5. the generous gifts offered to us by the land on which we live |
(d) wretchedness will hang its head | 1. misery and suffering will no longer exist |
(e) attend to the needs | 3. take care of the requirements |
HOTS
The poet has described some features of his dream world. Work in groups of four or five and make a list of the steps that need to be taken to translate the poet’s dream into reality.
Answer – Promote equality through education and awareness.
Eliminate racial and religious discrimination.
Encourage kindness, empathy, and unity in society.
Reduce poverty and ensure fair distribution of resources.
Control greed through moral and ethical values.
Create opportunities for all regardless of background.
Advocate for peace and global cooperation.
Life Skills
A new child has joined your class. He is black. No one wants to befriend him. You feel concerned for him. How will you ensure that he gradually becomes a part of your class?
Answer – I would start by talking to him and making him feel welcome. I would introduce him to my friends and encourage them to include him in group activities. I would also explain to others that skin colour does not define a person’s worth. Slowly, we would make him feel accepted and valued as a classmate and friend.
Values
Greed and avarice are two negative human qualities we need to shun. Do you agree? If yes, how do you think we can ensure that we do not fall victims to such qualities?
Answer – Yes, I agree. Greed and avarice destroy relationships and create inequality. We can avoid them by practicing gratitude, being content with what we have, and helping others. Values like honesty, empathy, and generosity should be developed from a young age through stories, role models, and real-life practice.
Writing Skills
Write a paragraph on the topic ‘Man was born free but everywhere he is in chains’ in about 80-100 words.
Answer – Though man was born free, he is bound by many chains today – of prejudice, poverty, inequality, and injustice. Society has created artificial barriers like race, class, and religion that stop true freedom. Greed, hatred, and ego imprison the human spirit. True freedom will only come when we break these chains and embrace humanity, equality, and love.
Write a paragraph of about 80 words strongly emphasising the point that human beings should not be divided on the basis of colour, religion or language because all human beings have essentially the same feelings. Give your paragraph a suitable heading. (Refer to the poem ‘No Men Are Foreign’ in the My English Reader.)
Answer – Human beings should not be divided on the basis of colour, religion, or language. All people have the same emotions – they feel pain, joy, love, and sorrow. We all breathe the same air and live on the same earth. Unity and peace can be achieved only when we recognise the humanity in each other. We must learn to accept and celebrate our differences as our strength.
Additional Questions and Answers – 01
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
What does the poet dream of in the poem?
a) A world full of wealth
b) A world where love and peace prevail
c) A world where technology rules
d) A world ruled by a king
Answer: b) A world where love and peace prevail
Which of the following will NOT exist in the poet’s dream world?
a) Freedom
b) Greed
c) Joy
d) Unity
Answer: b) Greed
What does the poet compare joy to?
a) A flower
b) A tree
c) A pearl
d) A star
Answer: c) A pearl
Which literary device is used in “love will bless the earth”?
a) Simile
b) Metaphor
c) Personification
d) Alliteration
Answer: c) Personification
What will not “sap the soul” in the poet’s ideal world?
a) Love
b) Hatred
c) Greed
d) Joy
Answer: c) Greed
Short Questions and Answers
What kind of world does the poet dream of?
Answer: The poet dreams of a world full of love, peace, equality, and freedom without discrimination or greed.
What does “greed no longer saps the soul” mean?
Answer: It means that greed will no longer weaken or corrupt the human spirit.
How does the poet view race in his dream world?
Answer: In the poet’s world, race doesn’t matter; black or white, all are equal and share the earth’s bounties.
What role does joy play in the poet’s dream?
Answer: Joy is envisioned as something valuable and abundant, fulfilling the needs of all humanity.
Why does the poet say “wretchedness will hang its head”?
Answer: It suggests that misery and suffering will be defeated and disappear from the world.
Competency-Based Reasoning and Assertion Questions
Assertion (A): The poet compares joy to a pearl.
Reason (R): Pearls are rare, beautiful, and valuable, just like joy in the ideal world.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
Assertion (A): The poet believes that greed and avarice uplift the soul.
Reason (R): They help humans to strive for more.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
c) A is false, but R is true.
d) Both A and R are false.
Answer: d) Both A and R are false.
Assertion (A): The poet dreams of a world where every race is treated equally.
Reason (R): Discrimination based on skin colour is harmful to society.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
Long Answer Questions (50–60 words each)
Describe the kind of world Langston Hughes dreams of in the poem.
Answer: Langston Hughes dreams of a world full of peace, love, and equality. In this world, there is no place for discrimination, greed, or misery. People live in harmony, regardless of race or colour. Everyone enjoys freedom and shares the earth’s blessings equally. Joy and happiness replace suffering and sorrow.
How does the poet emphasize unity and equality in his dream world?
Answer: The poet emphasizes unity and equality by imagining a world where people of all races, black or white, live together and share the earth’s resources. He dreams of a world where every person is free, and no one is judged or discriminated against based on race or background.
What social evils does the poet wish to eliminate in his dream?
Answer: The poet wishes to eliminate scorn, greed, avarice, and misery. He dreams of a world where these negative qualities no longer exist, and people live with mutual respect, harmony, and happiness. He believes these evils destroy the human soul and must be banished to build a better world.
Why is joy compared to a pearl in the poem?
Answer: Joy is compared to a pearl because a pearl is rare, precious, and beautiful. By using this metaphor, the poet highlights the importance and value of joy in human life. He imagines a world where such joy is accessible to all and fulfills the needs of every individual.
Additional Questions and Answers – 02
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- What is the primary theme of the poem “I Dream a World”?
a) Personal ambition
b) A vision of equality and peace
c) The beauty of nature
d) The struggle for wealth
Answer: b) A vision of equality and peace - What does the poet dream will bless the earth?
a) Wealth
b) Love
c) Power
d) Knowledge
Answer: b) Love - What does the poet say greed does to the soul?
a) It strengthens it
b) It saps it
c) It frees it
d) It enriches it
Answer: b) It saps it - What does the poet envision for people of all races?
a) They will compete for resources
b) They will share the earth’s bounties
c) They will live in isolation
d) They will fight for dominance
Answer: b) They will share the earth’s bounties - What does the poet compare joy to in the poem?
a) A star
b) A river
c) A pearl
d) A flower
Answer: c) A pearl - What does the poet hope wretchedness will do?
a) Spread across the world
b) Hang its head
c) Inspire change
d) Rule mankind
Answer: b) Hang its head - What does the poet say avarice does to the day?
a) Brightens it
b) Blights it
c) Enriches it
d) Protects it
Answer: b) Blights it - What does the poet dream for every man in the world?
a) Wealth and success
b) Freedom and equality
c) Power and influence
d) Knowledge and wisdom
Answer: b) Freedom and equality - What adorns the paths in the poet’s dream world?
a) Peace
b) Gold
c) Flowers
d) Light
Answer: a) Peace - What is the poet’s ultimate vision for mankind?
a) A world of competition
b) A world where joy attends all needs
c) A world of technological advancement
d) A world of individual success
Answer: b) A world where joy attends all needs
Short Questions and Answers
- What does the poet dream for the world?
Answer: A world where no one scorns another, filled with love, peace, and freedom. - What does the poet say about greed in the poem?
Answer: Greed saps the soul. - What does the poet hope for people of all races?
Answer: They will share the earth’s bounties and be free. - What does the poet compare joy to?
Answer: A pearl. - What does the poet say avarice does?
Answer: It blights the day. - What will bless the earth in the poet’s dream world?
Answer: - What does the poet hope wretchedness will do?
Answer: Hang its head. - What adorns the paths in the poet’s vision?
Answer: - What does the poet dream for every man?
Answer: - What is the poet’s vision for mankind’s needs?
Answer: Joy will attend the needs of all mankind.
Competency-Based Questions (Reasoning and Assertion)
- Assertion (A): The poet envisions a world free from discrimination and suffering.
Reason (R): The poet dreams of a world where no one scorns another, and all share the earth’s bounties equally.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The poet’s vision of a world without scorn and with shared resources directly supports the idea of eliminating discrimination and suffering, emphasizing equality and unity across races. - Assertion (A): The poet believes greed and avarice harm humanity.
Reason (R): The poem states that greed saps the soul and avarice blights the day.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The poet explicitly describes greed and avarice as destructive forces that weaken the soul and ruin daily life, supporting the assertion that they are harmful to humanity. - Assertion (A): The poet’s dream world prioritizes emotional well-being over material wealth.
Reason (R): The poem emphasizes love, peace, and joy while condemning greed and avarice.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: By highlighting love, peace, and joy as key elements and criticizing greed and avarice, the poet values emotional fulfillment over materialistic pursuits in the envisioned world. - Assertion (A): The poet dreams of universal freedom for all people.
Reason (R): The poem mentions that every man, regardless of race, will be free and share the earth’s bounties.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The poet’s vision includes freedom for all, explicitly stating that people of all races will be free and share the earth’s resources, directly supporting the idea of universal freedom.
Long Questions and Answers (50-60 words)
- What is the poet’s vision for a better world, and how does it address human suffering?
Answer: The poet dreams of a world where love and peace prevail, eliminating scorn and wretchedness. By envisioning a world where greed and avarice are absent, and joy attends all needs, the poet addresses human suffering by promoting equality, freedom, and emotional well-being, ensuring no one faces discrimination or despair. - How does the poet use imagery to convey the ideal world in the poem?
Answer: The poet uses vivid imagery like love blessing the earth, peace adorning paths, and joy as a pearl to depict an ideal world. These images contrast with greed sapping the soul and avarice blighting the day, highlighting a harmonious world free from materialism, where emotional fulfillment and equality uplift all mankind. - Why does the poet emphasize freedom and equality in the poem?
Answer: The poet emphasizes freedom and equality to envision a world without discrimination, where all races share the earth’s bounties. By dreaming of a world where no one scorns another and every man is free, the poet seeks to eliminate societal divisions, fostering unity and ensuring joy and peace for all mankind. - How does the poet contrast material wealth with emotional values in the poem?
Answer: The poet contrasts material wealth, represented by greed and avarice that sap the soul and blight the day, with emotional values like love, peace, and joy, which bless the earth and attend mankind’s needs. This contrast underscores the poet’s vision of a world prioritizing emotional well-being and equality over destructive materialism.